Police post is to be resurrected in Penkridge a year after being shut down

THE police post in Penkridge is set to be resurrected a year after it closed so officers can be based on the scene and use it to interview suspects.

Staffordshire Police wants to re-open the post at the Haling Dene Centre to give officers and PCSOs a place to work from.

PSCO Andy Poxon said police response officers would use it for interviewing and doing paper work instead of leaving the area to head back to their current base at Watling Street Police Station in Gailey.

He said the base would also provide him with a place to do work at the start and end of his shifts, as well as picking up messages from the public.

But Mr Poxon told Penkridge Parish Council this week: “If there was an incident in the village the officer on duty would be here in Penkridge rather than racing over from Watling Street.

“There is also a possibility of holding police surgeries at the post.

“The police post wouldn’t be manned all the time. When I am on duty for example I’m usually out on the streets but I would be in there at the start of a shift and just before I finish. People could put notes through the door, which I’d pick up.”

Parish councillors welcomed the plans and agreed it should be allowed to go ahead.

Chairman Sandra Chambers said: “It is good news. We all agree it should be resurrected.”

It comes as the future of Eccleshall’s police post is hanging in the balance as there is no longer anyone based there.

Cut-backs forced Staffordshire Police to move officers to high-crime areas. Two of the three police community support officers who used to patrol the area, have been transferred to Stafford as where there is more crime.

PCSO Dianne Lutwyche, who covers the area, will also have to patrol Swynnerton and Stone.